1. Slide 1 EOS Exit Strategy Forum An Outside Assessment – a Practitioners View Examining Options – The Way Ahead Sophia Antipolis – June 6 2008 Professor Alan Barrell

2. Slide 2 Agenda and Context A Practitioners View - from International Business Development An unbiased view A passion for Business Development, Internationalisation and Economic Development A “listening approach” Moderating for everyone – desire to assist progress forwards

3. Slide 3 Scoping Paper and Structure of Discussion Achievements and some observations Planning the Way Forward Exploring Options – some Ideas presented – for discussion and debate Practical Ways Forward Gathering critical information for the next stages of examination, and planning for recommendations.

4. Slide 4 Universities and centres of academic excellence Exploitable, converging Technologies Entrepreneurs with marketable ideas and products Business angels and established seed funds Sources of early stage venture capital Core of successful large companies Quality management teams and talent Supportive infrastructure Affordable space for growing businesses Access to capital markets Attractive living environment and accommodation source :- Gibbons - Stanford University 1998 Characteristics of high technology regions- Catalysts for Growth

5. Slide 5 What do we see in Internationally successful smaller Innovative firms ? Management and Human Resource development Experienced Advisors, Mentors, non-Exec Directors Innovative Products or Services – beyond proof of concept Identified and accessible markets – competitive positioning Clear Strategy, Purpose and Business Model Established in home base – and good timing of international expansion Structured, phased, resourced international development plan and understanding of cultural as well as business issues Appropriate financing

6. Slide 6 Willett’s Business Coding and Labelling – Case Study “The World’s Coding Company”

7. Slide 7 Willett’s Business Coding and Labelling

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9. Slide 9 Observations - EOS Member / partner selection crucial Passive information exchange is not difficult to achieve, but may not affect performance behaviour change Certification, QC and Validation take more time than anticipated – there is a backlog in the programme Well established networks have brought positive contributions – through own efforts and those of members Clearly some member partners did not commit resources or time

10. Slide 10 Observations - EOS….more…. Contrasts clear in engagement of Indian partner (active) and Chinese (not at all) Few references in any documentation to the US market – possibilities for the future ??-Reasons ? Sufficient materials have been developed to meet most entrepreneur needs Need for streamlining organisation and activities suggested – 21 Consortium Partners, 60 members – too many services …. Some areas of expertise well served – others lacking – review and re-focus in order Future progress will require dedicated and understanding leadership.

11. Slide 11 Planning the Way Forward WHO will participate? HOW will organisations participate? What about issues of OWNERSHIP? Is there a desire and need for European co-ordination? WHICH services can be considered to go forward at all. Need to concentrate on “Mature and Robust”

12. Slide 12 Some overall OPTIONS Do nothing…… Identify useful services and promote and sell Clarify “ownership” of services Agree on continued “consortium approach” Operate in a “free-wheeling” manner, without co- ordinating organisation / structure Adopt a “European or International co-ordinated approach”. If so – consider options on how, costs etc. Agree on continued information and best practice exchange BUT costs, pricing and commercial considerations will need attention – “Whatever”

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16. Slide 16 Categorising EOS Services First Category – Mature and Robust Second Category – Having Potential, Needing More development Third Category – Unproven / Questionable – not recommended

17. Slide 17 First Category Services - Proposed A1 - Soft Landing - Office Essential A2 - Soft Landing - Office Extended A4 -Soft Landing -Visiting Services B1 - Networking - International Matching C1- Business Boosting - Business Advisor C2 – Business Boosting – International Training

18. Slide 18 Five Options – Examined as Examples 1.Transfer responsibility and confer “ownership” on European Consortium Members 2.Transfer responsibility to National/International partners – Associations and Networks 3.Transfer to Enterprise Europe Network 4.Call for fresh European Proposal for funded support 5.Appoint European Management / Co- ordination organisation – on commercial basis

19. Slide 19 What follows today…. Detailed notes and record of discussion and inputs Facilitator to develop detailed report for European Commission and all participants - Draft by September 3 rd 2008 - Final Report by October 15 th 2008

20. Slide 20 The Competitive Threat “Today’s Peacock is tomorrow’s feather duster” – Think about it……..

21. Slide 21 In of Excellence ! In Pursuit of Excellence ! “Excellence can be achieved, if we: Care more than others think is wise, Risk more than others think is safe, Dream more than others think is practical, Expect more than others think is possible.” Deborah Johnson-Ross

22. Slide 22 For ongoing communication…. And for more information…… www.alanbarrell.com alan@alanbarrell.com